I'm enlisting and I need some mom advice!

[Holly]

Hello everyone, my name is Holly and I'm currently enlisting into the Coast Guard ( I know, I know, call me puddle pirate or what you will. But there isn't a site like this for the Coast Guard, and I figured that since the CG is more similar to the Navy than the Army or the Air Force i'd post my questions here.) Plus my recruiter said I may actually attend Navy A school, because the Coast Guard schools are so full and have up to two year waiting lists. I guess I'll have to brush up on my Navy knowledge ;).

I'm pretty much through the enlistment process, I'm just waiting to DEP in and get a ship date. My very anti-military family is NOT happy about this, especially my mom. Every time I try to talk about it with her she doesn't want to listen. She is really unhappy about me wanting to join the military and we seem to be growing more and more distant the farther I get into the enlistment process. I don't want to ruin my relationship with my mom, but I do want to enlist. What should I do? How do I convince my mom this is a good thing for me? How did you feel about your kids joining the military?

Also, I'm 21, and I'm slightly worried about being older than the other recruits fresh out of high school. I've been living on my own since I was 17 and I'm not sure how I'll adjust to being stuffed in a room with bunk beds with 60 high school seniors. How did your sailor adjust to the living quarters at boot camp?

Thanks for taking the time to read this, any/all advice is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely

Holly

[ChrisAmo]

My son was 29 when he went to bootcamp so you're very young compared to him. His only difficulty was feeling a little resentment towards superiors who were maybe 10 years younger than him....but he got over that. The other recruits did tend to call him "the old man" but he thought that was funny. In fact, his added maturity helped him quite a bit as his training moved along. Boot camp is only 8 weeks (in the Navy anyway) and you can stick that out knowing it's only temporary.

As for your mom....you need to gently remind her that it's your decision to make and you're sorry she's unhappy with it but you hope she'll come to realize that someone has to defend the country and if not you, then who? Maybe getting her to come on Navy4Moms and read a few of the comments etc. might ease her mind. Regardless, do not let her dissuade you from your goal....if you want to enlist then you should. It's your life. I'm extremely proud of my son for joining. It took him a while to decide to do it but he did it and after 2 years is a Petty Officer 2nd class already.

[Nancy (MAA Mom)]

My 27 year old daughter left today for Navy Bootcamp. I'm beaming with pride. Her father and I and all of our family couldn't be happier for her. I'm so sorry that you're getting such a negative reaction from your family. You're doing a wonderful thing for yourself and your country. Don't give up on your dream.

[Kathy (AOMom)]

You wont be the oldest or the youngest, and yes you will have to deal with the drama, but it doesnt get out of hand at boot camp, they dont have time. I wish I could chat with your mom, but asking her to join here will help her see what other moms think about it, Maybe she is scared for your safety, which is a moms job. I was too, still am, but I also know that my daughter has had a lot of training, and she is not alone, there are so many above her that will help her and guide her, and they work as a team towards their goals. It is a huge decision, my daughter has not regretted it, she loves her Navy family, has a really nice Chief who watches her back, and some friends from bootcamp (January 09) that she talks to all the time. The military is what you make of it, and it is your life, be proud, and hopefully your mom will see how well you are doing, and support you as best as she can.

[Jay]

I was 21 as well when I joined, I think it helped me very much having lived on my own before joining. It makes the transition much easier. My mother wasn't happy at all when I joined the Navy, but now she can see the positive effect it had on my life and she is very proud of me. Alot of people are anti-military until they need that military to defend them.

[Holly]

Wow, thank you all so much for your kind words and wisdom. I will continue to press on with my enlistment, and I will invite my mom to join N4M, I sure have found a lot of useful information on here so I'm sure she will too.

Thank your kids for their service, and thank you Jay for your service as well. I can't wait until I can serve along side all of the sailors on here, as a future puddle pirate I will always have a secret love for the Navy.

~Semper Paratus~

Holly

[Navymom24055]

Hey if this is what you want...go for it...My son joined at the age of 18..And 4 years later..It is the best thing he ever did..The way jobs are...you are making sure you have one..And the traiinng is awesome...Your pay and your expernices are far more than any job can give you..Even though you are scared everyone is..But this is your future...And this is a great choice..I was not happy as a mom..But I could not have made a better choice..The miltitary made my son a strong man he would have never been if not for this.....You will open doors to things that will help you so much ...that you would have never known...I was against it....But I am one happy Navy mom...And the Navy has made my son into one hell of a sailor..I am so proud..And the experinces he has had has made him a strong young man...You can not fail by doing this...Take it from a mom who only wanted her son at home....You will be all that you can be....And then some...Just do what you want...Cause you will work hard...But the rewards are so great...you will be stronger than you ever thought you could be...And if no one else supports you...just let me know I will...I write you, and support you thur it all...Cause the perosn you will become, Is worth it in the in...And that is what matters most....Just make sure it is what you want...